Boat landing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A boat landing apparatus includes a pair of roller assemblies, at least two cross members, at least four support brackets, at least four support posts, and at least four support spacers. Each roller assembly includes a plurality of rollers pivotally retained in a roller frame. One end of each roller assembly is mounted to one of the cross members and the other end of each roller assembly is mounted to the other cross member. A wedge spacer may be inserted between a bottom of the roller frame and a top of the cross member bracket. The wedge spacer enables the roller assembly to have an inward tilt. A single support bracket is secured to each end of each cross member. A single support post is secured to a bottom of each support bracket. A single support spacer is attached to each support post.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 09/691,757 filedon Oct. 18, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,820.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to landing a boat on shore andmore specifically to a boat landing apparatus which may be used toeasily land and retain a boat without removing thereof from the water.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

There are numerous boating landing devices such as U.S. Pat. No.2,658,354 to Lee, U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,247 to Smith, and U.S. Pat. No.5,460,112 to Travioli. All three of the these patents have the samedrawback. Only a small length of the boat is guided when the boat is incontact with the boat landing device. A boat landing device which onlycontacts a small length of the boat lacks stability. Another problemoccurs to a small boat when it rains. If it rains hard enough, the smallboat anchored at a pier will fill with rain water and sink. Thealternative is to pull the boat on to the shore. However, this is aninconvenient and time consuming process.

Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a boat landingapparatus which provides greater stability when landing a boat than thatof the prior art and easily stores a small boat in a secure position fordrainage of rain water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a boat landing apparatus which is easierto use than that of the prior art. The boat landing apparatus includes apair of roller assemblies, a pair of cross members, four cross memberbrackets, and at least two retention stakes. Each roller assemblyincludes a plurality of rollers pivotally retained in a roller frame.Each cross member bracket is mounted to substantially each end of eachroller assembly. A wedge spacer may be mounted to a bottom of the rollerframe before attachment of the cross member bracket. The wedge spacerenables the roller assembly to have an inward tilt. An opening is formedthrough substantially a center of the bracket and the roller frame. Eachcross member bracket is sized to slidably receive the perimeter of thecross member. Each cross member has a plurality of openings formed alonga length thereof. The width of the boat landing apparatus may beadjusted by aligning the opening in the roller frame with one of theopenings in the cross member. A single stake is then inserted throughthe openings in the roller assembly and cross member into the mountingsurface.

A height spacer may be used to tilt the boat landing device. The heightspacer allows the boat landing apparatus to be tilted for raising orlowering either end of the boat. The rear of the boat may be tilteddownward to drain water therefrom, if necessary. The height spacerpreferably includes a post retainer, a tubular post, and a flangeretainer. A single post retainer is attached to a bottom of each end ofeach roller assembly. The tubular post is retained by the post retainer.The flange retainer is clamped to the tubular post to prevent thereoffrom sinking into the lake bottom.

A second embodiment of the boat landing apparatus includes a pair ofroller assemblies, at least two cross members, at least four supportbrackets, at least four support posts, and at least four supportspacers. Each roller assembly includes a plurality of rollers pivotallyretained in a roller frame. One end of each roller assembly is mountedto one of the cross members and the other end of each roller assembly ismounted to the other cross member. Additional cross members may be usedto support extra weight. A wedge spacer may be inserted between a bottomof the roller frame and a top of the cross member. The wedge spacerenables the roller assemblies to have an inward tilt. A single supportbracket is secured to each end of each cross member. A single supportpost is secured to a bottom of each support bracket. A single supportspacer is attached to each support post.

The second embodiment of the boat landing apparatus is preferablyinstalled as follows. The support posts are located and then insertedinto a bottom of the body of water. A single support spacer is then slidon to each support post. The support spacers are then pushed against thebottom of the body of water and secured to the support posts. A singlesupport bracket is attached to a top of each support post. Each crossmember is slid through a pair of support brackets and secured thereto.The pair of roller assemblies are then attached to the cross members. Asingle guide post may be attached to a top of each support bracket. Aboat may be tied to at least one guide post. Providing at least twocross members with a sufficient length will allow an access plank tomounted thereto. The second embodiment of the boat landing apparatus mayalso be assembled and then placed on a bottom of a body of water.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a boatlanding apparatus which provides greater stability when landing a boatthan that of the prior art.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a boatlanding apparatus which may be tilted to adjust to a sloped lake bottom.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a boatlanding apparatus which allows a boat to be accessed from a sidethereof.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a boatlanding apparatus which may be pitched to allow a small boat to bedrained of rain water.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a boatlanding apparatus which allows a boat to be held in a secure position.

Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a boatlanding apparatus which has an adjustable width to accommodate differentsize boats.

These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a boat landing apparatus inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a boat landing apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a boat landing apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a boat landing apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stake retention pin of a boat landingapparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a boat landing apparatus with a pair of heightspacers in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a boat landing apparatus with a boat partiallylanded thereupon adjacent a pier in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a height spacer of a boatlanding apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a post retainer of a boat landingapparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a boatlanding apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a second embodiment of a boat landing apparatusin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a second embodiment of a boat landingapparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a second embodiment of a boat landingapparatus in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown an exploded perspective view of a boat landing apparatus 1. Withreference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the boat landing apparatus 1 includes a pairof roller assemblies 10, a pair of cross members 12, four cross memberbrackets 14, and at least two retention stakes 16. Each roller assembly10 includes a plurality of rollers 18 pivotally retained in a rollerframe 20. The roller assembly 10 is preferably purchased from Marine &Trailer Products. One particular design of roller assembly 10 is shown,but other designs of roller assemblies may also be used. A single crossmember bracket 14 is mounted to substantially each end of each rollerframe 20. The cross member bracket 14 is preferably fabricated from analuminum sheet stock. Other suitable materials may also be used. A wedgespacer 22 may be mounted to a bottom of the roller frame 20 beforeattachment of the cross member bracket 14. The wedge spacer 22 enablesthe roller assembly 10 to have an inward tilt to guide a front of a boat100 into the boat landing apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 3. If no tilt isrequired, then the wedge spacer 22 is not included with the boat landingapparatus 1. The wedge spacer 22 may be fabricated from any materialwhich does not corrode in water.

The cross member bracket 14 and/or the wedge spacer 22 may be attachedto a bottom of the roller frame 20 with welding, fasteners, adhesive, orany other suitable assembly process. The cross member bracket 14 may beattached to a bottom of the wedge spacer 22 with welding, fasteners,adhesive, or any other suitable assembly process. An opening 24 isformed through substantially a center of the cross member bracket 14, anopening 26 is formed through the wedge spacer 22, and an opening 28 isformed through substantially each end of the roller frame 20. Each crossmember bracket 14 is sized to slidably receive the perimeter of thecross member 12.

Each cross member 12 has a plurality of openings 30 formed along alength thereof. The width of the boat landing apparatus 1 may beadjusted by aligning the opening 28 in the roller frame 20 with one ofthe openings 30 in the cross member 12. The cross member 12 ispreferably fabricated from an rectangular cross section of aluminumtube. Other suitable materials may also be used. A single stake 16 isthen inserted through the openings into the mounting surface 102. Eachstake 16 preferably has a horizontally serrated surface to enhanceretention by the mounting surface 102 such as sand on a lake floor. Thestake 16 is preferably fabricated from an aluminum rod. Other suitablematerials may also be used. A single post retainer 46 is preferablyattached to each end of each roller assembly 10 at a bottom thereof withany suitable assembly process such as welding.

With reference to FIG. 5, preferably a stake pin 32 is utilized toprevent the stake pin 16 from working its way out of the mountingsurface 102. A pair of openings 38 are formed through the sides of theroller frame 20 and the stake pin 32 is inserted therethrough. The stakepin 32 preferably includes a pin body 40, a tapered front end 42, atleast one spring loaded ball 34 and a withdrawal ring 36 disposed on arear end. Other methods and devices may also be used to prevent thestake 16 from withdrawing from the mounting surface 102. The stake pin32 may be purchased as a standard product from a tool componentmanufacturer.

With reference to FIGS. 6, 8 and 9, a height spacer 44 may be used toadjust the height of one end of the boat landing device 1. The heightspacer 44 preferably includes a tubular post 48 and a flange retainer50. The post retainer 46 is preferably a tubular device with a topportion 51. The post retainer has an inner perimeter 47 which is sizedslidably receive the tubular post 48. A stake clearance hole 49 isformed through the top portion 51 of the post retainer 46. A point 52 ispreferably formed on a bottom of each side of the tubular post 48. Thepoint 52 facilitates insertion of the tubular post 48 into a lakebottom. A square shaped tubular post 48 is shown, but other shapes mayalso be used.

A flange retainer 50 includes a flange plate 54, a clamp 56, and afastener 58. The clamp 56 is preferably attached to a top of the flangeplate 54 with any suitable assembly process such as welding. A slit 60is formed in the flange plate 54 adjacent a tightening flange 62. Theslit 60 allows the clamp to be tightened around the tubular post 48. Theattachment of the flange retainer 50 to the tubular post 48 prevents therear of the boat landing apparatus 1 from sinking into a lake bottom.The fastener 58 is used to tighten the clamp 50 against the tubular post48. The post retainer 46, tubular post 48, and flange retainer 50 arepreferably fabricated from any material which does not corrode in water.Other designs of height spacers may also be used. FIG. 7 shows a boat100 pulled half way on to a boat landing apparatus 1 adjacent a pier108.

FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment of the boat landing apparatus 2. Theboat landing apparatus 2 includes a pair of roller assemblies 10, atleast two cross members 64, at least four support brackets 66, at leastfour support posts 68, and at least four support spacers 70. Two crossmembers 64 and four support posts 68 are preferable, but more could beused. Each roller assembly 10 includes a plurality of rollers 18pivotally retained in a roller frame 20. Each cross member 64 ispreferably a rectangular tube with a plurality of holes 72 formedthrough the sides thereof. Each support bracket 66 preferably has asupport flange 74 mounted substantially perpendicular to a bottom of across tube 76. An inner perimeter of the support flange 74 receives asingle support post 68. The inner perimeter of the cross tube 76receives a single cross member 64. A guide flange 80 may be mounted to atop of the cross tube 76 to receive a guide post 82. A plurality holes83 are preferably formed through the sides of the guide post 82. Eachsupport bracket 66 includes a plurality holes 78 formed therethrough.The cross tube 76 is preferably fabricated from a first rectangular tubeand the support flange 74 from a second rectangular tube. The guideflange 80 is preferably fabricated from a third rectangular tube.

Each support post 68 has a plurality of holes 84 formed through thesides thereof. Preferably, a bottom end of each support post 68 has atleast one side sharpened to a point 86 to facilitate insertion into abottom of a body of water. Other sharpening schemes may also be usedbesides that disclosed in FIGS. 10-13. A single support spacer 70includes a support flange 88 and a support foot 90. At least one hole 92is formed through the post flange 88. The support spacers 70 prevent theboat landing apparatus 2 from sinking into the bottom of the body ofwater. With reference to FIG. 13, the boat landing apparatus 2 ispreferably mounted with a backward pitch. The backward pitch allowswater 110 trapped in the back of the boat to drain out through a drainopening 112.

With reference to FIGS. 11-13, one end of each roller assembly 10 ismounted to one of the cross members 64 with any suitable fastener andthe other end of each roller assembly 10 is mounted to the other crossmember 64 with any suitable fastener. The wedge spacers 22 are placedbetween a bottom of the roller frames 20 and a top of the cross members64; the wedge spacers 22 enable the pair of roller assemblies 10 to havean inward tilt. A single support bracket 66 is secured to each end ofeach cross member 10 with any suitable fasteners. A single support post68 is inserted into the post flange 74 of each support bracket 66 andsecured thereto with any suitable fasteners. A post flange 88 of asingle height spacer 70 is slid on to each support post 68 and attachedthereto with any suitable fasteners. The cross member 64 may be madewith a sufficient length such that an access plank 94 may be attached toone end of each cross member 64 with any suitable fasteners.

A guide post 82 may be inserted into the guide flange 80 of at least onesupport bracket 66. An eye bolt 96 or the like may be fastened in one ofthe holes 83 of the guide post 82. The boat 100 may be retained byattaching a line to the eye bolt 96. The boat landing apparatus 2 may beinstalled by first inserting the support posts 68 into a bottom of abody of water and successively assembling the remaining elements of theboat loading apparatus 2 on the installed support posts 68. The boatlanding apparatus 2 may also be assembled and then inserted into abottom of a body of water.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made without departing from the invention inits broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is tocover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

We claim:
 1. A boat landing apparatus comprising: a pair of rollerassemblies, each said roller assembly including a plurality of rollerspivotally attached to a roller frame, one opening being formed throughsaid roller frame at substantially each end thereof; at least two crossmembers, each said cross member having a plurality of cross memberopenings formed along a length thereof, said pair of roller assembliesbeing secured to said at least two cross members; at least four supportposts; and at least four support brackets, a single said support postbeing secured to said cross member with a single said support bracket.2. The boat landing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at leastfour support spacers being secured to said at least four support posts,each said support spacer including a post flange attached to a foot, atleast one hole being formed through said post flange.
 3. The boatlanding apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a bottom end of eachsaid support post being sharpened to at least one point to facilitateinsertion into a bottom of a body of water, a plurality of holes beingformed through said support post.
 4. The boat landing apparatus of claim1, further comprising: a wedge spacer being inserted between a bottom ofsaid roller frame and a top of a single said cross member, said wedgespacer causing said roller assembly to tilt inward to facilitate easyloading of a boat.
 5. The boat landing apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: each said support bracket including a support flange mountedsubstantially perpendicular to a bottom of a cross tube, a pluralityholes being formed through said support flange and said cross tube. 6.The boat landing apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a guideflange being mounted to a top of said cross tube.
 7. A boat landingapparatus comprising: a pair of roller assemblies, each said rollerassembly including a plurality of rollers pivotally attached to a rollerframe, one opening being formed through said roller frame atsubstantially each end thereof; at least two cross members, each saidcross member having a plurality of cross member openings formed along alength thereof, said pair of roller assemblies being secured to said atleast two cross members; at least four support posts; at least foursupport brackets, a single said support post being secured to said crossmember with a single said support bracket; and at least four supportspacers being secured to said at least four support posts.
 8. The boatlanding apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: each said supportspacer including a post flange attached to a foot, at least one holebeing formed through said post flange.
 9. The boat landing apparatus ofclaim 7, further comprising: a bottom end of each said support postbeing sharpened to at least one point to facilitate insertion into abottom of a body of water, a plurality of holes being formed throughsaid support post.
 10. The boat landing apparatus of claim 7, furthercomprising: a wedge spacer being inserted between a bottom of saidroller frame and a top of a single said cross member, said wedge spacercausing said roller assembly to tilt inward to facilitate easy loadingof a boat.
 11. The boat landing apparatus of claim 7, furthercomprising: each said support bracket including a support flange mountedsubstantially perpendicular to a bottom of a cross tube, a pluralityholes being formed through said support flange and said cross tube. 12.The boat landing apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a guideflange being mounted to a top of said cross tube.
 13. A boat landingapparatus comprising: a pair of roller assemblies, each said rollerassembly including a plurality of rollers pivotally attached to a rollerframe, one opening being formed through said roller frame atsubstantially each end thereof; at least two cross members, each saidcross member having a plurality of cross member openings formed along alength thereof, said pair of roller assemblies being secured to said atleast two cross members; at least four wedge spacers being insertedbetween a bottom of said pair of roller frames and a top of said atleast two cross members; at least four support posts; at least foursupport brackets, a single said support post being secured to said crossmember with a single said support bracket; and at least four supportspacers being secured to said at least four support posts.
 14. The boatlanding apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: each said supportspacer including a post flange attached to a foot, at least one holebeing formed through said post flange.
 15. The boat landing apparatus ofclaim 13, further comprising: a bottom end of each said support postbeing sharpened to at least one point to facilitate insertion into abottom of a body of water, a plurality of holes being formed throughsaid support post.
 16. The boat landing apparatus of claim 13, furthercomprising: each said support bracket including a support flange mountedsubstantially perpendicular to a bottom of a cross tube, a pluralityholes being formed through said support flange and said cross tube. 17.The boat landing apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: a guideflange being mounted to a top of said cross tube.